The Roman Spectacle Of Ancient Society - 891 Words

The Roman Spectacle Today one can be a spectator in every sport via sports networks, and billion dollar stadiums, and arenas. While modern day sports vary drastically and so do their playing fields, in the Roman Empire one sport reigned supreme the sport of Chariot racing. Few forms of entertainment enjoyed as great of a level of devotion and longevity than that of Chariot racing. The sport of chariot racing was an integral part of Roman society and wherever the Romans went, chariot racing when with them, as evidenced by the tracks in North Africa, England, and elsewhere in the Empire. This seems like an unlikely connection to the casual observer, but for one who looks deeper into the Roman society and government they will see that sports were at the heart of the Roman Empire. This sport was unique in Roman society, because it brought together people from different backgrounds, cultures and ranking in Roman society. This widespread popularity gave this and other sports played a unique roll in Roman society. The popular nature of the races lent a particular kind of political power to the fans and was great enough to affect cultural and political life in Roman society. The races did not only afford the common Roman power, but it was a tool used by Rome’s leaders to appease the populace. The Roman people wanted their theater and Rome’s leaders were more than obliged to give it to them what they wanted. Tarquinius Priscus, the fifth king of Rome in the sixthShow MoreRelatedAncient Roman Art Of Entertainment1561 Words   |  7 PagesAncient Roman Entertainment The art of entertainment held many significant influences within the Ancient Roman society. Though it is known that certain means to achieve such spectacles were vicious and cruel, it ultimately satisfied the Roman peoples need for pleasure and excitement. Public displays varied from chariot races, musical and theatrical performances, to the more gruesome acts of wild beast hunts, gladiatorial games, and public executions. Most of the Romans daily leisure activitiesRead MoreThe Gladiatorial World : Gladiatorial Warfare1601 Words   |  7 Pagesingrained part of Roman society by the first-century AD. They have consistently been portrayed as gruesome battles between two men, usually slaves or criminals, in which one almost always inevitably dies. While this circumstance did occur in ancient times, there is also strong evidence showing that this was not always the case. It is true that slaves and criminals, as well as prisoners of war, were the main source of gladiators due to the ir expendability and large numbers following Roman conquests, howeverRead MoreThe True Nature Of The Gladiators966 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction Gladiators have long been regarded as entertainers performing spectacles of great violence for an avid audience. Many scholars debate whether the gladiators could be considered athletes due to the stark differences between the Greek athletes of the Olympics and the Roman gladiators of the arena. There are many myths surrounding the gladiators. Most people think that the gladiators were savage and would fight each other to the death every time they entered the arena. Many people are alsoRead MoreGladitorial Combat in Ancient Rome Essay766 Words   |  4 PagesGladitorial Combat in Ancient Rome The culture of Ancient Rome had a distinct way to entertain its citizens. Besides spending times at the baths, Romans found pleasure and delight in the games held at the local coliseum. These games were among the bloodiest displays of public amusement in the history of man. Professional wrestling and boxing today, do not come close to the disgusting horrors that the people of Rome took so much pleasure in observing. Although the games were very bloody andRead MoreThe Influence Of The Ancient Roman Gladiatorial Games1601 Words   |  7 PagesThe Roman gladiator captivated the masses and contributed to the very definition of ancient Rome. The consumption and coverage of football in America today is the modern equivalent to how gladiatorial games fit into the entertainment and overall culture of the ancient Roman world, with the gladiatorial games holding even deeper importance regarding spirituality. In a society built through the balancing of bloodshed and civility, the ancient R oman gladiator made his impact through spectacle by pureRead MoreRoles of Gladiators in Roman Society1741 Words   |  7 Pagesattention. Gladiators were famously popular in ancient from for seven centuries, from the 3rd century BC to the 4th century AD fairly late in the Public occupied a prominent position in roman society, they would fight in massive amphitheatres, the most famous being the Colosseum in Rome. The games slowly transformed into spectator, a form of public execution and was seen by the public as entertainment in simpler, rougher times. It escalated as the Romans valued the art of killing and acted as a distractionRead MoreRoman Culture During The Roman Era1425 Words   |  6 Pagesthink of Roman civilisation, most people would instantly respond with the Colosseum in Rome, or the Gladiatorial games. The Colosseum in Rome was a symbol of the power and wealth that Rome possessed at the height of her glory, and even today, the amphitheatre dominates the surrounding area, and draws the eye like nothing else. Roman amphitheatres became synonymous with the spread of roman culture throughout the empire, and as such are an excellent case for understanding the spread of roman engineeringRead MoreSocial Structure in the Colosseum1229 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿ The Ancient Roman Social Structure in the Colosseum Ancient Rome is one of the greatest and most influential societies in the history of the world. From the basic rules of how the Roman Empire is set up to the infrastructures in the city, the strict hierarchy of Roman social structure can be reflected clearly all over the whole ancient Rome. In fact that â€Å"public architecture presents people with the official view of a society and provides the background against which its individual markersRead MoreSummary Of The Crucible 978 Words   |  4 Pagesthe leader of the Rebellion (Spartacus the slave) as strong, invincible, and barbaric. Spartacus and his rallied men escaped confinement from the Roman Republic and fought back because they wanted to be free from the horrible situation they were put in. Also, the gladiators were tough and proved how strong of a group they were by defeating many trained Roman soldiers. It is unjust for any human being to be forced to accept that way of life and not be able to have much of a say in the matter. The threeRead MoreAn Architecture Monument : The Roman Colosseum Essay1875 Words   |  8 PagesArchitecture Monument:The Roman Colosseum Therewas so many famous monuments of the ancient worldthat we studied in class but none other will leave me an impression quite like the Colosseum in Rome.The Roman Coliseum was a masterpiece and a manifestation of the advance of ancient Roman architecture. In addition, the Roman Colosseum was a cultural center that attracted people from different parts of Rome and the Mediterranean. In fact, The Coliseum was a cultural center of the ancient world that made it important